NWI CHAPTER
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Mar 2025 from
Jerry Pyfer

Another Afternoon Meeting

The NWI Chapter held our second afternoon meeting. We had 22 in-person and 12 via Zoom take in the fine presentations by Jeremy Schrader and son Christian.

I started the meeting on-time. Even though it was a bright sunny day with snow on the ground, the digital projector was able to produce a good image once the blinds were drawn. On the other hand, a traditional Kodak carousel projector would struggle to overcome the invading daylight from outdoors.

This tells me our traditional road trip to Oregon will not work very well for a mid-afternoon meeting of programs as there are blinds but a lot of light will seep through the windows in the depot.

We were out of the church by 4:30pm.

NRHS National Representative

Back before the NRHS suffered though a myriad of problems, we had a position on the NWI Board of Directors known as our National Director. This position represented the chapter on matters of policy within the NRHS.

If the name Dana Dawes sounds familiar, it should, we named our annual photo-contest after him. He was not only our National Director, he was the son of the United States 30th vice-president, Charles G. Dawes. Dana could tell some pretty cool behind the scenes tales while visiting the White House.

There were regular meetings at which our rep’ voted on matters. When our rep’ was unable to make a meeting, which was held around the country, we tapped a nearby rep’ to take our place.

The NRHS has recently informed our chapter that we need to select a National Representative (NR) to once again fulfill this obligation.

Following NWI Board discussions and research into the position, I have appointed two of our members to be our rep’. Gilbert Sebenste will be our designated NR. Jason Leverton will become our Alternate NR.

Annual RRVD Train Show

The Rock River Valley Division of the NMRA, has announced the dates for their 2025 Train Show at the Harlem High School gymnasium in Machesney Park, Illinois.

The show will be held on Saturday March 29th between 10-5pm, as well as Sunday March 30th between 10-3pm.

We will set-up our display on Saturday morning prior to the opening of the show.

The NWI Chapter will set-up a monitor presenting a silent slide show about the Chicago & North Western in Rockford over the years.

We are going to feature a different Rockford railroad each year. In addition to the slide show, large plot maps from 1917 will show where the railroads laid track in the city.

NWI on You Tube

Erik Rasmussen has uploaded the NWI January meeting program featuring images from John Dziobko onto You Tube. You can type in North Western Illinois Chapter NRHS or go to - https://youtu.be/6RdQ4zq30hw?si=m4I4iMGx94c8QY8V

More recorded meetings will be added as time allows.

We regret to inform you

We have been informed by Lorna Fisher of the passing of her husband and long-time NWI chapter member John Fisher of Cross Plains, Wisconsin.

John, 87, was a fan of the Milwaukee Road, Soo Line and Chicago & North Western railroads in particular. John was always ready with a friendly hello and chat time. He was part of an at least 10 member entourage of NWI member/Milwaukee Road member attending the 2019 MRHA convention in Minneapolis.

NWI Baggage Car Response

If you might recall, I ran an article in the February NWL about the NWI baggage car.
Randy Olson sent this response with some of his memories:

“HEY,
Reading the NWL certainly jogged my memory. May of 1980 certainly was an interesting time. I was a car host on one of the former PC commuter cars, and that was certainly an adventure. My car was about 3/4 full and I did have a number of small, younger families which would become "interesting" later in the day.

A few things that I remember about it was that there were a number of pissed off fans who wanted to stay with NKP#765 when we dropped it off (at La Harpe) and continued on West to Keokuk. I also recall that the rather limited "menu" in the food service car was already starting to run low, and when we arrived at Keokuk I was able to get a couple of the Chapter members who were chasing to run out and get some pizzas from the local Pizza Hut. I later found out that Ed Ellis had arranged for the 1st class cars to be restocked there, which included some very fancy items. I think that the departure eastbound took longer than planned so the return back was going to be much later than "advertised".

As darkness fell, someone did break out the flashlights which were a serious necessity, as going between the cars without vestibules was more than tricky, and not all cars had functioning restrooms. The families in my car were making the best of their long day, but the "little ones" were really starting to fuss.

Regarding the NWI baggage car, did the Chapter ever get paid back for our investment? And Joe did purchase it, for how much, and what did he ever do with it, like where is it today?
RBO”

In response to the questions: The baggage car was sold to then chapter member Joe McMillan. I do not have information as to how much nor the disposition of the car afterward.

For more information about the Chapter, see Meetings and Join.